Technology & Innovation: Page

  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is seen sitting at a desk surrounded by men
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Texas approves law requiring warning labels for food additives

    The legislation will apply to food product labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Future FDA action on labeling would have the potential to supersede it.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • June 24, 2025
  • Six workers wearing bright yellow vests with WM's logo work next to conveyor belts at a recycling center.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    WM’s upgraded Wisconsin MRF aims to capture more types of plastic packaging

    Part of the $39 million investment went toward a film mitigation system, which reduces contamination in other streams. WM also is in the early stages of selling this captured material as a commodity. 

    By • Updated June 24, 2025
  • A full rotisserie chicken sits inside the bottom of a beige plastic clamshell container with the lid off.
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    Permission granted by Sam's Club
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    Packaging innovations: Chicken changes at Sam’s Club are nothing to cluck at

    Plus, O Olive Oil & Vinegar puts the squeeze on its bottles, Amcor lightens up Bulldog tubes and Elopak partners with Dow on cartons containing recycled polymers.

    By • June 20, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Altor

    Working smarter: Best practices for thermal modeling in cold chain packaging design

    Smarter cold chain design starts with thermal modeling—learn best practices here.

    By Altor • June 16, 2025
  • A close up of baled plastic recyclable bottles and containers.
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    Getty Images
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    How much do consumers really care about sustainable packaging?

    Consumers consider packaging sustainability when making purchases, but weigh other characteristics more heavily, according to a study from McKinsey & Co. The consulting firm presents five takeaways based on a consumer survey.

    By • June 11, 2025
  • A black plastic crate filled with tomatoes has a label on the exterior indicating the contents.
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    Permission granted by Avery Dennison
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    Deep Dive

    RFID for packaging enters new markets, despite pause on FDA traceability rule

    The tracking technology is pushing into newer applications, including anti-counterfeiting for high-value goods. RFID is poised for notable growth, with innovation helping improve the tech’s operability and ensure recyclability.

    By • June 4, 2025
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    TBD

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    Sponsored by Metsä Board

    New widely recyclable and home-compostable Starbucks takeaway cup relies on Metsä Board’s paperboard

    Starbucks EMEA and partners developed a recyclable and home-compostable takeaway cup on Metsa Board’s stock.

    June 2, 2025
  • Packaging for Benton's Original chocolate sandwich cookies
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    Retrieved from Aldi on May 29, 2025
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    Mondelēz sues Aldi over private label packaging that ‘blatantly copies’ Oreo and Chips Ahoy!

    The snack giant alleges packaging on seven of the grocer’s products could “deceive and confuse consumers” and “irreparably harm” its image.

    By Christopher Doering • May 29, 2025
  • A square chunk of cheese in a wrapper with messaging for Nestlé's ¡Qué Rico! cheese brand.
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    Screenshot: Ogilvy/YouTube

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    Packaging innovations: Nestlé ‘self-packing’ cheese will have you saying ‘no whey!’

    Plus, ProAmpac discusses a collaboration bringing recyclable paper bags to lawn care, and SIG scales its aluminum-free aseptic carton offerings.

    By • May 21, 2025
  • A rigid plastic bottle of Mrs. Meyer's liquid hand soap sits next to a larger, flexible plastic pouch of the same product.
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    Permission granted by SC Johnson
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    Packaging innovations: SC Johnson’s soap refill system, Amcor and Metsä collaborate on trays

    Plus, Nestlé Purina gets a PCR boost and Futamura brings compostability features to sachets.

    By • May 16, 2025
  • Hands hold an empty wine bottle
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    Permission granted by O-I Glass
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    Q&A

    Inside O-I’s sustainability targets

    The glass company recently ramped up its 2030 targets. Sustainability Director Sonya Pump discussed the philosophy around goal-setting, including a focus on energy efficiency and assessing opportunity with evolving technologies.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • Muhammad Rabnawaz stands under MSU School of Packaging sign
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    Courtesy of Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, School of Packaging
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    Packaging innovation center scores federal funding to ‘strengthen US manufacturers’

    Organizers in Michigan are engaging companies to be part of this pre-competitive research hub that leverages National Science Foundation grant money as well as industry buy-in.

    By • May 9, 2025
  • A stick of Every Man Jack deodorant in its previous packaging next to a stick in new packaging.
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    Permission granted by Every Man Jack
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    Packaging innovations: PCR plays from CG Roxane, Every Man Jack, Stumptown Coffee

    Plus, Aveda redesigned its sample product sachets with Xela Pack and Stora Enso launched a next-generation folding boxboard from a newly up-and-running consumer packaging board line.

    By , • May 8, 2025
  • A Kind snack bar that has messaging on the label indicating the new paper wrapper is recyclable.
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    Permission granted by Kind Snacks
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    Kind Snacks launches recyclable paper wrapper pilot program

    Printpack helped the snack food company develop a barrier-coated paper wrapper to replace plastic. The partners will gather information about shelf life and durability during transit to determine next steps for scaling.

    By • May 1, 2025
  • A green box of Zyrtec allergy medication with orange messaging.
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    Permission granted by Kenvue
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    Packaging innovations: Zyrtec’s flat-front fiber box, Saint James Iced Tea bets on bottles

    Plus, a look at new packaging launches from Sonoco, DS Smith, Eco-Products and Pulpex. 

    By • April 25, 2025
  • A variety of Collective Good wines on a retail store shelf.
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    Permission granted by Frugalpak
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    Frugalpac’s paper wine bottles scale with Target debut

    It’s the first full-scale nationwide rollout of Frugalpac’s paper bottle at a major U.S. retailer, said CEO Malcolm Waugh.

    By • April 17, 2025
  • Two people holding up kegs of Liquid Death branded water.
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    Retrieved from Liquid Death on April 09, 2025
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    Packaging innovations: Liquid Death’s ‘Kegs for Pregs,’ Crown has a Moment

    Plus, brand and packaging company collaborations led to new or redesigned packaging from Dole, Henkel, Furminator, Bubbies Ice Cream, Happy Campers, Berlin Packaging, AeroFlexx, Earthcycle and Verde Bioresins.

    By • April 10, 2025
  • A large group of dosing pens for subcutaneous injection of anti-obesity medication piled in a heap.
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Weighty issue: GLP-1 drugs are reshaping packaging demand

    Soaring use of these medications for weight loss is shifting demand, including for packaging manufacturers that serve pharma and food customers. Analysts say the game-changer is an opportunity for innovative companies.

    By • April 9, 2025
  • Three people examine envelopes while standing next to an industrial machine.
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    Permission granted by JBM Packaging
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    JBM Packaging brings training program to Ohio prison

    Moving the machine adjuster training program to the London Correctional Institution in Ohio allowed the company to increase participants’ pay. JBM aims to start real-world envelope production at the site soon.

    By • April 8, 2025
  • A dark gray plastic industrial crate.
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    Courtesy of Tetra Pak
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    Crate idea: Transport packaging made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons

    The polymer and aluminum material, polyAl, that gets separated from fiber during carton recycling is a key material for the new transport crates made by Schoeller Allibert. 

    By • April 2, 2025
  • Machinery inside Graphic Packaging International's Kalamazoo, Michigan, paperboard production plant.
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    Permission granted by Graphic Packaging International
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    Graphic Packaging International to close Ohio plant, affecting 130 employees

    The Ohio closure had been anticipated as part of the company’s effort to consolidate its mill system and focus on new facilities in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Waco, Texas, but it comes months ahead of schedule.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • A person shops in a grocery store aisle
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Hitting a plateau: Circular packaging designers face flexibles hurdle

    Many companies have targets to make 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Now, as they face the hardest categories to transform, some are weighing whether it’s feasible.

    By Shefali Kapadia • March 31, 2025
  • A person draws on a white board with a marker.
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    Courtesy of Amcor
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    Amcor extends open call for novel barrier coatings

    The company aims to work with innovators and startups on compostable and recyclable coatings for flexible packaging. Chosen projects could receive up to $500,000 in funding.

    By • March 28, 2025
  • hands open a plastic beverage bottle with a tethered cap
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    Getty Images
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    US states renew push for tethered bottle caps to help recycling

    Since last July, companies selling single-use plastic beverage containers in the EU have had to tether caps or lids. California legislators advanced a similar regulation that beverage makers oppose.

    By • March 27, 2025
  • A box with branding for Seagram's Escapes flavored malt beverages.
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    Courtesy of Seagram's Escapes
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    Packaging innovations: Seagram’s slims down, J. Lohr puts cab in a keg

    Plus, Wimbée and Koehler Paper cap off a fiber packaging project and Contempo Specialty Packaging keeps plastics and kids out of its cannabis packaging.

    By • March 26, 2025